Dutch Maritime Loanwords in English

Discovering Dutch Through the Sea

Dutch has had an extensive impact on global languages, thanks to its history as a seafaring nation and its colonial ventures. Loanwords from Dutch often reflect the practical, everyday life of a society deeply involved in trade, exploration, and the development of infrastructure.

The Dutch you already know

If you’re an expat looking to start learning Dutch, you might be surprised to find you already know more words than you think! Many Dutch words have found their way into English, particularly in maritime language. As a seafaring nation with a rich naval history, the Dutch contributed numerous terms that sailors, traders, and explorers brought with them around the world. Words like “yacht,” “skipper,” and “buoy” are just a few examples. But why do these words sometimes look or sound a little different from their Dutch origins? Over time, loanwords evolve in both spelling and pronunciation, adapting to the new language while still carrying a bit of their Dutch heritage.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the fascinating influence of Dutch on maritime English and show you how your first step into learning Dutch might already be aboard! Let’s explore some often used words in English, that have clear identifiable Dutch roots. Why some words have become different in pronounciation is food for another blog.

Welcome on board and let’s set sail on Dutch maritime loanwords in English! Here goes:

· Yacht – From the Dutch jacht, meaning “hunt” or “fast sailing ship.”
· Skipper – From the Dutch schipper, meaning “ship captain.”
· Sloop – From the Dutch sloep, a small boat.
· Schooner – from the Dutch schoener, a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of two or more masts.
· Deck – From the Dutch dek, referring to the surface covering the hull of a ship.
· Bowsprit – from the Dutch boegspriet, the spar extending forward from the vessel’s prow.
· Keel/Keelhaul – From the Dutch kielhalen, meaning “to drag under the keel of a ship as punishment.”
· Freight – Refers to goods transported by ship, derived from Dutch vracht.
· Flotilla – A group of small ships, from the Dutch vloot (fleet).
· Hawser – A thick rope or cable for mooring or towing a ship, possibly from Dutch haas (hook or rope).
· Gybe – from the Dutch word gijpen, a change course by swinging the sail across a following wind.
· Maelstrom – from the Dutch word maalstroom, a situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil.
· Avast – A command to stop, from the Dutch houd vast (hold fast).
· Dock – The area of water between two piers, from the Dutch dok.
· Wharf – A structure where ships dock to load or unload, derived from Dutch werf (shipyard or dockyard).
· Taffrail – The rail around the stern of a ship, from Dutch tafereel.
· Cruise – Cruise is adapted from the Dutch verb for crossing, ‘kruisen’.
· Sluice – From the Dutch sluis. A sluice is a water channel controlled by gatess.
· Canal – From the Dutch kanaal, a man-made waterway.
· Anchor – From the Dutch anker, a heavy object to hold a ship in place.
· Tide – From the Dutch getijde, tide refers to the rise and fall of sea levels.

In all the harbours along the North Sea sailors used a common lingo, and this helps to explain how vulgar slang and taboo words from Dutch entered into English. We will skip explicit vulgar words, but even a common word like sh*t has Dutch origins, unfortunately. Today it would seem the loan is being repaid with interest, as English shit! is now the most common and popular exclamation in Dutch.

Set Sail on Your Dutch Language Journey with Flowently

As you’ve discovered, Dutch has made waves in the English language, especially in maritime terms. So why not dive deeper into the language itself? Whether you want to understand more about Dutch culture or communicate with locals, learning Dutch can open doors to a richer experience in the Netherlands. At Flowently, our private tutors offer personalized lessons that make learning Dutch practical, fun, and tailored to your needs. Ready to embark on your Dutch language journey? Book a session with Flowently today! Check out our website for a special offer.

Published by: Flowently

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